Crimper for Metal Seals with Orientation Indicator

ABSTRACT

A metal seal crimper includes a pair of opposing jaw units mounted to move in response to movement of a pair of the crimper&#39;s handles to close a metal seal. A first jaw unit of the opposing jaw units is located on a first side of the crimper and configured to close a short flange of the metal seal. A second jaw unit is located on a second side of the crimper and configured to close a long flange of the metal seal. A first handle of the pair of handles is located on the first side of the metal seal crimper, and a second handle is located on the second side of the metal seal crimper. An indicator located on at least one of the first and second handles is configured to distinguish the handles to facilitate proper alignment of the metal seal within the crimper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/680,659, filed Jun. 5, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to the packaging industry and, more specifically, to crimping tools for closing metal seals to lock strapping around a secured object.

BACKGROUND

Metal seals, both smooth and serrated, are known and used for securing strapping around an object, for example, for securing an object to a pallet for shipping. The strapping is typically a flat metal or plastic strap less than an inch wide. The seal is typically a metal seal that is crimped around two ends of the strap, in effect tying the two ends together in securing the strap to an object. A common metal seal includes a main body having a width sized to receive the strapping's width. The seal also includes a short flange extending from the main body and a long flange extending from the main body. A crimping tool pinches the long flange toward the strapping and main body to lock the strapping within the thusly closed seal. The crimping tool also folds the short flange over the end of the long flange during the crimping process.

Known crimping tools for metal seals use a plurality of jaws mounted to rotate with movement of a handle. The jaws have a profile edge that engages the short and long flanges to bend them in closing the metal seal. The typical crimping tool must be used in a proper orientation relative to the metal seal. In other words, one side of the crimping tool holds jaws with a longer tip designed to engage and close the long flange, and the other side of the crimping tool holds jaws with a shorter tip designed to engage and close the short flange. Where users apply seals and tools without focus or at high speed, the seal may be inserted into the crimping tool with a wrong orientation, potentially compromising the resulting sealing of the strapping, which could allow the strapping to slip at an undesirably low force.

SUMMARY

Generally speaking and pursuant to these various embodiments, a metal seal crimping tool includes one or more of a variety of modifications to facilitate an improved rate of quality seals made through crimping metal seals, for example around strapping. One such modification includes indicia on at least one of the handles to indicate to a user the correct orientation of the crimping tool with respect to the metal seal. The indicia on the handle is quickly identifiable, such that a user does not need to thoroughly examine the crimping tool to identify the difference in the opposing jaws.

These and other benefits may become clearer upon making a thorough review and study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the crimper for metal seals described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A comprises a perspective view of a metal seal crimping tool in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B comprises a front elevational view of a crimping end of the metal seal crimping tool of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C comprises a perspective view of the metal seal crimping tool of FIGS. 1A-1B with the crimping tool in an open position;

FIG. 1D is a front elevational view of the crimping end of the metal seal crimping tool of FIGS. 1A-1D with the jaws in an open position;

FIG. 1E is a perspective exploded view of the metal seal crimping tool of FIGS. 1A-1D;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a metal seal crimping tool in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a metal seal crimping tool in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a metal seal crimping tool in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a metal seal crimping tool in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art metal seal for use with the crimpers of FIGS. 1A-5.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and, in particular FIGS. 1A-1E, an exemplary apparatus for crimping metal seals will be described. The crimping tool 100 has a pair of handles 130/135 and a head unit 101. The head unit 101 includes opposing jaws 120, 125. A first jaw 125 is longer than the second jaw 120. The long jaw 125 is configured to crimp the long flange 92 of the metal seal 90 (see, FIG. 6), while the short jaw 120 is configured to crimp the short flange 91 of the metal seal 90. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the long jaw 125 closes tighter towards the side plate 111 of the crimping tool 100. As such, in operation the long jaw 125 crimps the long flange of the metal seal first, and then the short jaw 120 crimps the short flange over the top of the long flange.

The jaws 120/125 are pivotally attached to the shear 105 by two of the bolts 108. The shear 105 is formed of a series of plates positioned along roll pins 112. The bolts 108 cooperate with nuts 108C to couple the side plates 111A/111B together. In some forms, washers 108A/108B are positioned between the side plates 111A/111B and the pivot pins 108 and nuts 108C respectively. The jaws 120/125 are also pivotally attached to the handles 130/135 by pivot pins 110. The handles 130/135 are coupled together by a central pivot pin 107. Connecting plates 106 connect respective pivot pins 110 to the central pivot pin 107.

In operation, pulling the distal ends of the handles 130/135 apart causes the handles to pivot relative to each other about the central pivot pin 107. Pivoting about the central pivot pin 107 moves the pivot pins 110 upward and outward. The movement of the pivot pins 110 causes the jaws 120/125 to pivot relative to the shear 105, thus opening to receive a new metal seal. The central pivot pin 107 partially extends through slots 113A/113B in the side plates 111A/111B. The slots 113A/113B limit the amount by which the handles 130/135 can be pivoted. A metal seal is placed between the jaws 120/125. The handles 130/135 are then pushed towards each other, reversing the pivoting described above to close the jaws 120/125 about the seal, crimping the seal onto the strapping.

In some forms, at least one of the side plates 111A/111B includes indicia 111C illustrating the orientation of the metal seal relative to the crimping tool 100. In one form, the indicia 111C includes a drawing of the metal seal etched into the side plate 111A. In other forms, the indicia 111C includes a sticker.

The handles 130/135 includes grips 131/136. In a preferred form, the grips 131/136 are a plastic or rubber sleeve or coating configured to increase friction between the handles 130/135 and a user's hands. The grips 131/136 further serve as cushions to make the handles 130/135 more comfortable during crimping.

The crimping tool 100 includes indicia on the handles 130/135 configured to distinguish the first handle 130 from the second handle 135. In operation, the user learns to associate the first handle 130 with the short flange side of the metal seal and/or the second handle 135 with the long flange side of the metal seal. The crimping tools 100-500 of FIGS. 1A-5 illustrate exemplary forms of indicia.

In one approach, the crimping tool 100 includes rubberized grips 131/136 that are different colors from each other. The first grip 131 is a first color, and the second grip 136 is a second color different from the first color. In one form, the first grip is blue, and the second grip is red. In alternative forms, other color combinations can be used. For example, the two grips 131/136 can be colored in accordance with two colors associated with the manufacturer of the crimping tool.

Turning to FIG. 2, a crimping tool 200 is illustrated having handles 230/235 including indicia configured to distinguish the handles 230/235 from each other. The crimping tool 200 includes a head portion 101 substantially identical to the head portion 101 of the crimping tool 100 described above. The head portion 101 includes opposing jaws 120/125 in which the jaws 125 are configured to crimp the long flange of a metal seal and the jaws 120 are configured to crimp the short flange of a metal seal.

The handles 230/235 include indicia to distinguish the first handle 230 from the second handle 235. The indicia of the crimping tool 200 includes the second handle 235 having a length different than the length of the first handle 230. In a preferred form, the length of the second handle 235 is greater than the length of the first handle 230 such that the side of the crimping tool 200 with the longer handle corresponds to the side of the metal seal with the longer flange. The longer handle 235 is configured to be longer by an easily noticeable amount. In the shown form, the longer handle 235 is about 10% to about 25% longer than the shorter handle 230.

In a preferred form, the grip 236 on the longer handle 235 has a length greater than the length difference between the two handles 230/235. In a more preferred form, the grip 236 is at least 3 inches longer than the length distance between the two handles 230/235. In operation, this allows the two hands of the user to be approximately equidistant from the head portion 101 and still both be positioned on grips 231/236.

In some forms, the handles include more than one form of indicia. As shown in FIG. 3, the crimping tool 300 has two handles 330/335. The second handle 335 is longer than the first handle 330. The handles 330/335 have respective rubberized grips 331/336. The second grip 336 is a different color from the first grip 331.

The head portion 101 of the crimping tool 300 is substantially identical to the head portion 101 of the crimping tools 100 and 200. The head portion includes jaws 120/125. The second jaw 125 is longer than the first jaw 120. The longer jaw 125 is configured to crimp the long flange of a metal seal. The shorter jaw 120 is configured to crimp the short flange of a metal seal.

The second handle 335 is on the same side of the crimping tool 300 as the longer jaw 125. As described above, the handle 335 is longer than the handle 330 to indicate to a user that the side of the tool 300 with the longer handle 335 corresponds to the side of the metal seal with the longer flange. The second handle 335 is between 10% and 25% longer than the first handle 330.

The second handle 335 has a grip 336. The grip 336 is longer than the length difference between the first and second handles 330/335. The grip 336 is a first color. The first handle 330 has a grip 331 that is a second color. The second color is different from the first color. In one form, the grips 336/331 are red and blue, respectively.

In some forms, the indicia are configured to be added to an existing crimping tool such that the crimping tools can be retrofit. In FIG. 4, a crimping tool 400 with indicia 437 is illustrated. The crimping tool 400 has a head portion 101 substantially similar to the head portions 101 of the crimping tools 100/200/300. The head portion 101 includes jaws 120/125. The jaw 125 is longer than the jaw 120. The jaw 125 is configured to crimp the long flange of a metal seal. The jaw 120 is configured to crimp the short flange of the metal seal.

The jaws 120/125 are operatively coupled to handles 430/435. The first handle 430 is on the same side of the crimping tool 100 as the first jaw 120. The second handle 435 is on the same side of the crimping tool 100 as the second jaw 125.

The first handle 430 has a grip 431. The second handle 435 has a grip 436. At least one of the handles 430/435 includes an indicium or indicator 437 configured to distinguish the handles 430/435 form each other. In one form, the indicator 437 is a sticker adhered to one of the grips 431/436. In the form shown, the indicator 437 is on the grip 436 of the second handle 435. The user associates the indicator 437 with the long flange side of the metal seal. As a result, in operation the user aligns the crimping tool 100 with the handle 435 on the side of the metal seal having the long flange.

In some forms, the indicator 437 is a monocolor sticker having a color different from the grip 436. In other forms, the indicator 437 includes one or more of figures, letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, in one form the indicator 437 includes the world “long” to indicate the long flange. Alternatively or additionally, the indicator 437 includes a picture or drawing of a metal seal indicating the correct orientation of the seal relative to the crimping tool 100.

In the shown form, the indicator 437 is a sticker, such that it can be added to the crimping tool 100 after manufacturing. In alternative forms, the indicator 437 is printed or engraved directly onto one of the handles 430/435 or one of the grips 431/436.

In some forms, the indicator is tactile such that the user can feel which handle is associated with the long flange or the short flange of the metal seal. FIG. 5 illustrates a crimping tool 500 with a tactile indicator 537. The crimping tool 500 includes a head portion 101 substantially similar to the head portions 101 of the crimping tools 100-400. The head portion 101 includes jaws 120/125 including a short jaw 120 and a long jaw 125. The short jaw 120 is on a first side of the crimping tool 100, and the long jaw 125 is on the second side of the crimping tool 100.

A first handle 530 is located on the first side of the crimping tool 100 and is operatively coupled to the first jaw 120. A second handle 535 is located on the second side of the crimping tool 100 and is operatively coupled to the second jaw 125. The first and second handles 530/535 are operatively coupled together.

The first handle 530 has a grip 531. The second handle 535 has a grip 536. At least one of the handles 530/535 has a tactile indicator 537. The tactile indicator 537 is configured to distinguish the second handle 535 and the first handle 530 from each other such that the user can orient the crimping tool 100 with a metal seal without needing to inspect the head portion 101 each time. In a preferred form, the tactile indicator 537 is located along at least one of the grips 531/536 such that at least one of the user's hands are in contact with the indicator 537 while gripping the crimping tool 100 so as to crimp a metal seal.

In some forms, the indicator 537 includes a protrusion extending from the handle 530 or 535. In the form shown, the tactile indicator 537 includes a hemispherical protrusion on an outer surface of the handle 535 along the grip 536. In a preferred form, the tactile indicator 537 is large enough to be easily felt while gripping the grip 536. In a more preferred form, the tactile indicator 537 is large enough to be easily felt through work gloves, such as those commonly worn while working with strapping.

While a hemispherical protrusion is illustrated, other shapes and orientations of the tactile indicator 537 are considered herein. For example, the tactile indicator 537 may include one or more square or rectangular protrusions. In still further examples, the tactile indicator 537 includes one or more pyramid or cone shaped protrusions. In still further examples, the tactile indicator 537 includes a substantially spherical or bulbous end of one of the handles 530/535. Alternatively to the protrusion shown, the tactile indicator 537 may include one or more recesses or apertures in at least one of the handles 530/535.

The tactile indicator 537 is shown located on the handle 535 corresponding with the long flange of the metal seal. In alternative forms, the tactile indicator 537 is located on the other handle 530.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, any of the above aspects can applied to a known metal seal crimping tool alone or in any combination to improve different aspects of the crimping tool's performance.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the exemplary embodiments shown above are intended to illustrate various features, such as exemplary indicia. It is understood that the specific embodiments are not limiting and that a person of ordinary skill would be enabled to combine features from multiple embodiments. For example, a crimping tool is considered herein having the color coded grips of the crimping tool 100 in conjunction with the indicia 437 or 537 of the crimping tools 400 or 500 respectively.

It is further understood that the description of the various crimping tools above is sufficient to describe related methods. For example, methods of making and using the crimping tools described above are considered herein. Such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for clamping a metal seal, the apparatus comprising: a pair of opposing jaw units mounted in a metal seal crimper to move in response to a movement of a pair of handles of the metal seal crimper to close a metal seal disposed within the metal seal crimper; a first jaw unit of the opposing jaw units located on a first side of the metal seal crimper, the first jaw unit being configured to close a short flange of the metal seal; a second jaw unit of the opposing jaw units located on a second side of the metal seal crimper, the second jaw unit being configured to close a long flange of the metal seal; a first handle of the pair of handles located on the first side of the metal seal crimper; a second handle of the pair of handles located on the second side of the metal seal crimper; and an indicator located on at least one of the first and second handles, the indicator configured to distinguish the first handle from the second handle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicator is located on the second handle.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the first handle having a first grip and the second handle having a second grip, wherein the indicator is located on at least one of the first and second grips.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the indicator includes the second grip having a color different from a color of the first grip.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein one of the first and second grips are blue.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein one of the first and second grips are red.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes at least one of a group comprising a letter, a number, a picture, and a symbol.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a sticker.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes at least one of a protrusion extending from at least one of the first and second handles or a aperture defined in at least one of the first and second handles.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicia includes the first handle having a first length and the second handle having a second length different from the first length.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second length is longer than the first length.
 12. A method of using a metal seal crimper comprising a pair of opposing jaw units mounted in the metal seal crimper to move in response to a movement of a pair of handles of the metal seal crimper to close a metal seal disposed within the metal seal crimper, a first jaw unit of the opposing jaw units located on a first side of the metal seal crimper, the first jaw unit being configured to close a short flange of the metal seal, a second jaw unit of the opposing jaw units located on a second side of the metal seal crimper, the second jaw unit being configured to close a long flange of the metal seal, a first handle of the pair of handles located on the first side of the metal seal crimper, a second handle of the pair of handles located on the second side of the metal seal crimper, and an indicator located on at least one of the first and second handles, the indicia configured to distinguish the first handle from the second handle; the method comprising: aligning the metal seal crimper with the metal seal such that the second side of the metal seal crimper is on a side of the metal seal having the long flange; and operating the handles to crimp the metal seal.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a one of the first and second handles having a first color grip with the long flange and aligning a one of the first and second handles having a second color grip with the short flange.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the crimper with a longer handle with the long flange of the metal seal.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the metal seal crimper having a one of the first and second handles having a sticker with the long flange of the metal seal.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the metal seal crimper having a one of the first and second handles having a sticker with the short flange of the metal seal.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the metal seal crimper having a one of the first and second handles having a protrusion with the long flange of the metal seal.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the metal seal crimper having a one of the first and second handles having a protrusion with the short flange of the metal seal.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the metal seal crimper having a one of the first and second handles having a recess with the long flange of the metal seal.
 20. The method of claim 12 wherein aligning the metal seal crimper comprises aligning a side of the metal seal crimper having a one of the first and second handles having a recess with the short flange of the metal seal. 